'Unmarked crosswalks' exist at intersections only

SACRAMENTO -- Do you have questions about general driving related requirements like registration, licensing, driver safety, and insurance? Are you unclear about laws and restrictions related to driving? The California Department of Motor Vehicles has answers. "Save Time, Go Online," at www.dmv.ca.gov. You can submit any DMV-related questions at AskDMV@dmv.ca.gov

Q. In the DMV booklet used in preparation for written DMV test, it mentions "unmarked crosswalks" and that drivers must stop if someone wants to cross at an unmarked crosswalk. Please describe an unmarked crosswalk. Is that anywhere that a person wants to cross the street, even if it's between cars?

A. There are physically marked and unmarked crosswalks. Crosswalks exist at most intersections, whether or not they are marked. An unmarked crosswalk is not anywhere that a person wants to cross the street. Crossing from one corner of an intersection to the other side without a pre-designated crosswalk is an example of an unmarked crosswalk. Unmarked crosswalks can often be found in residential areas.

Q. With California having a water crisis, what is the DMV doing to conserve water and help in dealing with the drought situation?

A. You're absolutely correct. Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency in California as the state struggles with a significant water shortfall. As part of the State of Emergency declaration, all state agencies, including the DMV -- have been directed to immediately implement water use reduction plans for all state facilities. The DMV is currently working to implement and share water conservation measures in over 100 state owned facilities, including DMV's Headquarters in Sacramento. Together with the Department of General Services (DGS), we're also reaching out to landlords of our leased facilities to explore potential water savings, and we are reducing use of landscape irrigation by twenty percent, shifting irrigation to night hours and assess landscaping to determine water reduction opportunities. We are also looking into facility design and renovations that include drought tolerate native landscape plants and water efficient drip irrigation systems. All Californians are being asked to reduce their water usage by twenty percent. To learn more about conserving water, visit the Save Our Water website (www.saveourh20.org), where you can calculate how much water you use inside and outside each day.

The DMV offers an array of services through www.dmv.ca.gov. Users can book appointments, change address or pay fees via secure debit transactions. DMV customer service: 1-800-777-0133. The DMV is a department under the California State Transportation Agency.